This is the problem I have with the Abarth and many like it..

"nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul" (nfamouscj)
08/16/2014 at 15:14 • Filed to: Abarth, 500, braaaahpp

Talking to a friend of mine about cars, she recently picked up a Fusion and drives on the weekend for Uber. Told her I was in the market and after I sent the picture of the Abarth her reaction was :

And she had a point. Every woman I've ever shown the Abarth to says "Awwe it's so cute". No! It isn't cute! It is tiny angry fury. I'd lose my mind after the 30th time of explaining "No, it's an Abarth" "a what?" "Abarth - turbo, better suspension, aero" "It's still adorable" *braaahhp braaaahppp braaaaaahpp* As I drive away angrily.

Edit: just to clarify I don't own said Abarth, just these are speculations and "what if" scenarios. But the general consensus is that it's awesome and appreciated by those who matter and that's what counts.

DISCUSSION (31)

KirkyV > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:15

I have no problem with 'cute', but then, I did grow up in the land of hot hatches. Not that they're all what I'd call cute; it's just, the whole 'small car' thing isn't really, well, a thing here.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:17

I don't thing it would be called that if they didn't come out with the Gucci edition and the other models being called POP and Lounge. But I agree with you on the Abarth. 10/10 would drive/hoon

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > KirkyV
08/16/2014 at 15:18

I think you have a point there. Small "city cars" have only just started in the US recently where colossal monster cars have always been present. The cute factor does derive from being small. But once you compare the FiST and Abarth the 500 has much softer features and looks much less angry than the FiST however.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:19

My car gets called a girls car, been called gay on one occasion etc. Never really gave a shit to be honest.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:22

Why give a shit what people think of your car?

KirkyV > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:24

That's the thing: here, the Fiesta isn't seen as a 'city car' at all. The 500 is, but then, it is quite a bit smaller. 'City car' is an actual size-class here, occupied by cars like the Fiat 500, Fiat Panda, VW Up! and so on. The Fiesta's in the 'supermini' class, which is one bigger, and the Focus and Golf are 'family hatches'.

The 500 is undeniably cuter than the Fiesta... But, I really don't see why that'd be an issue. A lot of the greatest roadsters and sports cars in history have been cute as all out. People tend not to be quite as fussed over looking 'manly', with big manly cars over here—though, make no mistake, it still happens. So it's partly that small cars don't have the same kind of stigma here, and partly that people just aren't as fussed.

samssun > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:25

I too really like a certain girl car, but the drivetrain would get me over it: TT RS

http://www.motorward.com/wp-content/upl…

Frank Grimes > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:25

I would drive either of them abarth or not obviously would prefer the abarth for the funs but tell your friend to shut up and stop being a sexist idiot. SINCE WHEN DID THE CAR I DRIVE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SEX? WHY WOULD I BUY A CAR TO PLEASE SOMEONE ELSE?

Luddie > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:33

I was given one as a rental and every bump I hit my head on the damn roof. I don't like reclining and driving.

Toby F., Manager > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:39

I don't give a shit.

Explain? "Hey, take a seat" *opens door & points at passenger seat*

Goes for a "brisk" drive with said passenger(s).

Notes reactions upon returning/parking.

AM3R > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:46

The other day I saw an abarth, likely FBO because it was fast/loud and my non car friends called it "cute" and joked about how their sisters would like one.

Then they saw an mk5 GTI and talked about how sweet it was.

EL_ULY > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 15:51

buy a eco boost F150. Wait cookies

oldirtybootz > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 16:19

I'll stick to my Abarth engines in overweight, semi-aggressively styled sedans.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > oldirtybootz
08/16/2014 at 16:22

Dart Tigershark? How do you like the Dart? I'm in a position where my current ride is paid off, <90k miles, and only gets 10 miles put on it a week so I can wait for the SRT should it ever become reality. If you could go SRT would you or is the current enough?

Two Drink Minimum > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 16:25

Sure, it looks like a 500 until you start it. Then it sounds like a Ferrari.

Those conversations you dread? They are actually a lot of fun. I know, because I have them all the time. People crack jokes until I level them with the exhaust or take them on a quick joy ride. The Abarth is a wonderfully wicked little beast of a car, and it will put a smile on the face of almost everyone you meet.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Two Drink Minimum
08/16/2014 at 16:30

Thats a good point. I could tell you why it's a beast, but instead I'll show you.

Also don't they basically have a wide open exhaust without muffler and just use a resonator?

Mikeado > jvirgs drives a Subaru
08/16/2014 at 16:30

It would still be considered girly, because it's small, round and looks completely harmless. Unless you understand the connotations of big grilles/vents and wheels, the Abarth just has a bigger smiley face on it.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 16:30

Jeremy Clarkson said it best: "Fiat 500 Abarth impersonation: GRRR LOOK AT MEEE I'M ANGRY!!! I'M A LAMBOURGHINI!!! I PROMISEE!!! GRRRR!!!"

oldirtybootz > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 16:31

Tigershark = 2.0L and 2.4L, aka Chrysler's 2nd gen World Engine (developed with Hyundai) with Fiat Multiair valvetrain technology.

The 1.4 is the turbo shared with the 500 Abarth, MiTo, Punto Evo Abarth, etc.

I love the car, especially considering it's their first real attempt at a modern compacy car. The 1.4T is a doll of an engine and with my exhaust it sounds like a louder Abarth, but there is no denying that the car is too heavy for it. I have some bolt ons, but it really needs a tune. With over 200hp from a tune, it'd really be all I'd need in terms of performance. It's already quick enough to get into trouble, but it's not terribly quick by modern standards. The fact that first gear is super short you have to shift twice before 60mph also factors into it being "slow".

The SRT definitely has me interested, but I'd be content with a GT or R/T or whatever they want to call it with abouy 250hp from a 2.0T, as has been rumored. Just as I'd get a WRX over an STI, I don't need crazy power.

Two Drink Minimum > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 16:57

It's a straight through pipe, no resonator. Fiat did an amazing job with the exhaust note, but you might want to drive nice around the neighbors. :)

Showing them always helps. Keep in mind, you won't make everyone like it. The Abarth is full of Italianesque quirks that will cause Camry owners to furrow their brows in confusion. These are people whose approval should not matter to you.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Two Drink Minimum
08/16/2014 at 17:03

Aaand with that being said the Abarth is back in the running. FiST/FoST/Abarth - poor Genesis Coupe got booted out.

Bret > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 17:17

I find that most women do think our Abarth is cute. They also don't care that it's fast, it's just cute to them.

Similarly, my multi-time national trophy winning Miata is a cute little car to women. No matter its racing pedigree or capability.

The Big Healey? It's an adorable old car. Loud, but super adorable and beautiful. Or women just ignore it. Rich men, on the other hand...

My point? Who gives a rip what anyone else thinks? Gay guys will be able to tell you're not gay. Everyone loves a fun car. If a girl doesn't like you because she perceives your car to not be manly enough, then she's not going to be any fun even if you have a Challenger Hellcat.

Buy what you want and drive the hell out of it. Our Abarth sounds ridiculous barking and backfiring through the canyons downtown. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat, even though the FiST is a "better" car.

Two Drink Minimum > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 18:10

LOL. That's a good list you have there. If you want a larger car with stabler ride, less road noise and still lots of fun, the FoST is probably your choice (at which point, you should be cross-shopping the delicious Mk7 GTI). If you want a flickable hot-hatch that's equally at home in city streets and twisty back roads, the FiST and Abarth are your rides.

Personally, I think deciding between FiST and Abarth is pretty straightforward. If you are buying with your head, go with the FiST; if you are buying with your heart, go with the Abarth.

The FiST is a more versatile, well-rounded, powerful, and frankly logical car than the Abarth. Yeah, it's got My Ford Touch, which is awful, but the rest of it is great. The only drawback to me is that the FiST is so generic looking. It looks like every other try-hard, swoopy hatchback on the road these days and I suspect it's not going to age well.

The Abarth? It's unique. You'll find yourself having conversations with complete strangers, who will regale you with tales of their old Fiat Spiders from the 1970s. Heads will turn when you lay into the gas at a stop light. You'll laugh out loud when the exhaust backfires as you pass a slow driver. It's a car for raucous, wholesome fun, and the whole world will be witness. If you crave your anonymity, the FiST will definitely be the better choice.

Nibbles > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 19:27

Everyone's all like "Awww lookit dat cute widdle car!"

And I'm just like BRAAAAAAAAAAAP

Makoyouidiot > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/16/2014 at 20:59

I dd a Fiat. I love that chicks notice it and not the look at me brotrucks all around. That is all.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Frank Grimes
08/16/2014 at 22:03

obviously, the Fiat has a dildo on the driver seat which you must sit on in order to start the engine. Thus only women and gay men are prepared to operate the vehicle.

Saf1 > jvirgs drives a Subaru
08/17/2014 at 03:52

I don't think most (non-enthusiast) women would know about those trims and model names. They're basing their decision on what they see, and at first glance this is a cute hatch and the Abarth's aggression is quite restrained. But as people here are saying it doesn't matter what they think! You like the car and you can afford it? Why should anything else matter?! Also a real man isn't afraid one bit of wearing feminine colours or driving cute stuff because weak men let other's perception define them :)

Hi there > Bret
08/18/2014 at 10:37

I still keep my beater '91 Civic hatch for a similar purpose. I used to use it to filter girls (never tell them about the old money until one can be sure they are not materialistic freaks), if they bitched about my super clean but old and tiny car then fuck them. This process landed me my current longterm gf that I would marry if my mom weren't a divorce lawyer. Most of my firsthand observation of marriage has been varying degrees of awful and I don't wanna fuck up a good thing. I'll eventually make that thing go fast but I'm pushing serious mileage and it refuses to die so I just drive it weekly now until it either dies or I get tired of it not dying (almost 415k miles so far)/it's slowness. Little cars are spectacular woman filters, and that particular little car was the best $900 I ever spent (about another 4k on top over the years to replace whole AC, some sets of tires, and some not motor internals/gearbox/clutch/electrical crap repairs.) and ridiculously cheap car insurance and personal property tax. Just a bit longer 'til antique lol.

uofime > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/18/2014 at 11:46

You shouldn't buy cars to impress other people. If you like it, to heck with what anyone else thinks!

Conan > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
09/01/2014 at 13:50

Don't worry about it. Channel your Gengar power and get it dipped in Plum Crazy. You get cars for you. If this weren't true, your choices would all be different. If you were solely going after the ladies you'd get a black Ford Truck or a Porsche, dudes a red BMW convertible (or a Hellcat).

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Conan
09/01/2014 at 13:53

the thoughts of a black and purple Abarth has been so tempting lately. Hell I could even plastidip it with like 3 cans it's so small